is it ok to mix orange & green antifreeze?

It's not advisable to mix Dexcool - Orange with the regular green. However, some of the aftermarket orange coolant says it can be mixed with the green. I don't though. (Not a big fan of the orange myself)...

[This message has been edited by 3084me (edited 07-05-2008).]

If it is orange juice you are referring to, no, not at all

depends on what ornge and what green
at my work, we sell the new prestone "green" that will work/mix with all colors.
we also sell the normal green that will not, and the normal dexcool that will not.
we also sell an amber colored (peak gold) that is "dexcool aproved" and will mix with all colors also.

imo i wouldnt mix any of them, when i first started here the rep from preston showed us a video of normal dexcool and normal green being mixed togather, it wasnt pretty, it made a nice "gel" like pasty stuff.

At work I have a fleet of cars, some use Dexcool and some use conventional coolant. I talked to an engineer at the plant that makes Dexcool. According to him the only reason that you should not mix the two is that once you use conventional coolant with Dexcool it looses its extended life qualities and you should change it more often. I have been mixing the two for many years and have not had a single issue with doing it. All of the stories the coolant reps tell about not mixing it are nothing but sales hype/scare tactics.

i dont disagree with that at all

i just use the universal green in everything ive owned since its came out...

Don't chance it. Get antifreeze that's correct for your situation. If you want something that can mix with regular or Dexcool, Prestone makes a product that says on the label it mixes with both. Use that.

Otherwise, you're asking for trouble. Others may have mixed it and not had issues, but if you do it and do have problems that doesn't help you much, does it? Do it right the first time.

I was told by a mechanic that it will thicken like jelley.

quote Originally posted by James Bond 007: I was told by a mechanic that it will thicken like jelly.

This was an untruth that was spread around a few years ago. It is incorrect.

We mix products all the time. The ill effect of any mix is that you must assume that the final product is the quality of the lesser. Dex-cool and conventional coolant are the same theory. The life can no longer be expected to last as long as if it was pure. It never goes less than the conventional coolant though.

OK, now I just have to ask, if you mix the Orange with the Green in equal parts, what color is the resulting mix and what's it called, FUGLY?

Ron

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 07-05-2008).]

quote Originally posted by blackrams: OK, now I just have to ask, if you mix the Orange with the Green in equal parts, what color is the resulting mix and what's it called, FUGLY? Ron

I think you are closer than you think. LOL It turns a shade of brown. Just possibly, this is why some people think it is bad. No matter what though, it does not turn to jello, just brown. I think if you looked up the color in a color book you may find the color is called "fugly".

Never mix these coolants use one type .. avoid dexcool many people have no problem ,, but the law suits about dex should give you pause ,,never leave dexcool in a car for over 2 years

Do not use dexcool in a fiero !! avoid it
My post is based on reports from auto mechanic talk shows ,and info from auto rags. I have no experience with dex cool ... when thousands have a problem it is time to use care about a product

Dexcool appears to have a failure mode where it literally turns to mud and pebbles. Though causes aren't certain, results have been expensive and disasterous for many. The recommendation is to not use Dexcool unless your car came equipped from the factory with it. That being said, there are several orange coolants besides Dexcool.

JazzMan

GM claims that problems with DexCool are caused by poor maintenance practices. The owner should check the coolant level each time the car is fueled. Fiero fires were caused by the owner not checking the oil level at every fill-up. All tire failures are caused by under inflation. So, let’s all go back to 1956:

quote Workin in the fillin station - too many tasks. Wipe the windows - check the tires - check the oil - dollar gas! (Chuck Berry, Too Much Monkey Business)

quote Originally posted by spark1: GM claims that problems with DexCool are caused by poor maintenance practices. The owner should check the coolant level each time the car is fueled.

Poor maintenance on a coolant that's supposed to last for 5 years or 150,000 miles.

If you mix the old Green style and the Dexcool orange it gets acidic and is bad. You can mix the "mix with any color" yellow stuff with anything.
The best stuff is the old green stuff.

[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 07-07-2008).]

Valvoline (Zerex) accused Prestone of false advertising for claiming that Prestone Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant can be used in "all makes, all models" and that it can be mixed with any other antifreeze/coolant. The National Advertising Division (NAD) and the National Advertising Review Board (NARB) both agreed with Valvoline but Prestone refused to stop making the claims. The NARB referred the case to the federal Fair Trade Commission (FTC) in 2006 but so far the FTC has taken no action.

Here's a video of Zerex's opinion: http://www.valvoline.com/ze...html?coaid=9ACBA047D

[This message has been edited by spark1 (edited 07-07-2008).]